My advice would be to find out how easy/difficult it is to get your machines serviced where you live. I decided not to get an LG because the closest authorized service provider was located 90 miles away. While that wouldn't have been a problem so long as the machine was under warranty...I thought it would be problematic later. Went with Bosch--there are three certified Bosch service people within 15 miles or so. (One in my town!)

Hi Eric...it's difficult out there, isn't it. I'm still using my Whirlpool top loader of 15 years but if I were to forced to buy a new washer tomorrow, first I would buy from a mom & pop type of store. They are more apt to stand behind their product after the sale and keep you happy (they can't afford bad word of mouth). From my research the Korean machines (like LG, Samsung etc.) are harder to get service/parts for and therefore times for repairs may take a longer time. I've heard of not so great customer service when issues arise with the Korean machines. The Korean machines do look very sleek, I'll give them that. It seems that Whirlpool and Electrolux/Frigidaire have been at this (laundry) business the longest and have vested more time and research at making their machines better. They have better distribution with parts and service and therefore better repair times. Frigidaire seems to have the fastest cycle times but remember adding or subtracting options (extra rinse, low soil level etc.) will alter wash times. Most new front load washers have a pretty substantial tub size so that shouldn't be an issue no matter what you choose. You will get more cycle choices with any new front loader washer and dryer. You may want a "Bulky" cycle for comforters or a "Hand Wash" for extremely delicate items or a "Soak" cycle for really dirty items. The "Steam" cycle is more important in the washer than the dryer. Steam helps with really stubborn stains or to kill bacteria or allergens. I wouldn't say you need it but it may come in handy now and then. The thing with a "Steam" cycle is it can add a substantial amount of time to the cycle. If the machine has a "Sanitary" cycle then you really don't need a Steam cycle. Most people hardly even us the Steam cycle if they have one. As far as steam in the dryer, it's only good for relaxing wrinkles or freshening up clothes. (you can mimic this by throwing a damp towel in with already dried clothes you wish to freshen up). If you don't mind a miss matched set you can get yourself a standard Whirlpool dryer, the type with the "hamper" style door (door that opens down, not to the side). Those are very much still a very reliable machine. Or get the matching washer & dryer set and get the basic dryer. I would pay more for the washer with more features than the dryer. The dryer just needs to tumble clothes with a variety of heat settings (low, medium, high and or medium high, medium low etc.). If you look at Electrolux/Frigidaire know that Electrolux offers more higher end machines with more bells, whistles, features, cycles, higher top spin speed, larger drum and Frigidaire's are more economical (less features, slower top spin speed, less cycles, smaller drum). Do a side by side comparison of Whirlpool and Electrolux and Frigidaire and see if they offer features you want or don't want. I'm sure you'll get some other advice here and will make for some good reading. Best of luck. Keep us informed of what you decide.

>These residential fl washers need over an hour to get clothes washed, because of low water usage. Mine takes 45 minutes My Speed Queen can wash 2 full loads in the time it takes most fl washers to complete one cycle. Personally, I care more about efficiency, performance, and gentleness than cycle time, and I'm sure many other people agree with me on that. My front loader takes 45 minutes for a normal soiled cotton load. That's about 1.5 Speed Queen TL loads, not 2. Heavily soiled loads take longer, but they would take longer than 30 in the SQ as well (including soak time) if you want it to do as well as an FL. >No error codes, balancing to spin,mould, or washer clean cycles My FL doesn't give me error codes, grow mold, or make me run clean cycles either. It does balance before spinning, which adds a little bit of time to the cycle, but I'm more than willing to wait those few minutes so that I can wash with 15 gallons of water instead of 50 and get all the other benefits of an FL. >Bendix came out with the first fully automatic washer in the late 30s. A fl washer at that. The USA has always had front loaders,nothing new. We invented them. Why this over hyped craze within the last 20 years or so for shiny plastic planned obsolescence? I don't know what your point is here, but it seems you're trying to say modern FL's are "shiny plastic planned obsolescence". Speed Queen makes an excellent front loader. You wouldn't call that "shiny plastic planned obsolescence" would you?

Yes, I was planning to run a counter across the top of the machines. I hadn't thought about fabricating myself. I will have to take a look around and see if I can find any soapstone here. I have been thinking I should pick up a tension rod and put it up between the two cabinets so I have a drying rod too.